Potential new Harbor Springs community center?

HARBOR SPRINGS — Kellison King, owner of Quarters Incorporated Talents, an art gallery in downtown Harbor Springs, envisions her storefront as a new center for the community.

What could it offer?

Well, says King, the possibilities are limited only by what the Harbor Springs community wants. And that community has spoken — at least on a sheet King has posted outside the shop's door all summer long.

The suggestions that have rolled in? Public bathrooms. Consigned art. A place for a weekly open house of artists and business owners. A place for a walk-in yoga class. A space for "Singles Suppers." A place where those wishing for a dream project can write a description, a wish for a specifically-designed kitchen, and a contractor can read those descriptions and contract the job.

King has particular experience with that last suggestion. She had a kind of faucet in mind when building a house downstate in the mid-1970s, well before the Internet made shopping for such things convenient. King searched all over town for her hardware before finding out her neighbor built the very design she wanted.

"Every community is loaded with people who have that kind of talent," King said.

But, she says, many of them can't afford to advertise their hobby or side work.

The shop owner has the space. Ten months ago, the storefront at 118 East Main became open, and King has not been able to rent the space since.

"I've been living without an income over here for 10 months," said King. "But sometimes I view hardships as maybe a gift. Maybe now is the time to start a community center."

King says the idea has been percolating for more than two decades, since before she bought the building at 116-118 Main Street, in 1993.

The building, she thinks, is an ideal space for such a center. It has a straight walk-through to the city's main dock. The building also has a deck out its back door, where people can sit and eat. Or use the building's Wi-Fi, or just sit and visit with their fellow community members.

King is hoping her idea will piggyback with the city's recent focus on downtown development.

"This place could be in conjunction with the physical amenities the city is suggesting," she said. "It takes more than physical amenities to make a community. We make the community."

But King's community center comes with a price tag. She hopes community benefactors and donors will pony up the $150,000 to buy the open space at 116 East Main while King will donate her 118 East Main space, next door, appraised at $199,000.

King will host an informational open meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 116 East Main St. in Harbor Springs. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to call (231) 526-1122 or email local.color.hs@gmail.com.